San Bernardino County to train inmates to fight wildfires

DEVORE - For decades, state inmate fire crews have worked side by side with firefighters in extreme conditions to battle wildfires.

Since the federal judicial panel ruling forcing California to alleviate prison overcrowding, the inmate fire crews have diminished greatly, but county officials have come up with a plan to make up for the loss.

San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon and Fire Chief Mark Hartwig came together Wednesday at Glen Helen Rehabilitation Center to announce the first county-run inmate fire crew.

"With the implementation of A.B. 109, many inmates are receiving longer sentences and are good candidates for this program." McMahon said. "This program teaches the crew member skills that they can use to gain future employment."

A.B. 109 is a state bill passed in response to a federal court order for the state to reduce its prison population by moving low-level offenders to county supervision.

The estimated annual cost to run the joint county 15-member inmate fire crew program is about $44,000.

The crew began training in May and will be ready to respond by next week.

Inmates assigned to the hand crews train for five weeks in such areas as fire suppression, first aid, CPR and chain-saw use.

This year, the fire season has come early to San Bernardino County after a dry winter and a mild fire season in 2012, fire officials said.

Los Angeles County initiated a similar program using inmates last year.

"This groundbreaking pilot program is a valuable local resource readily available in San Bernardino County." Hartwig said. "We hope this hand crew is the first of many more to come and plan to continue expansion of the program."

In order for inmates to be accepted to the program, they can't have a history of violent, sexual or serious offenses.

They must have 15 to 18 months of their sentence left and can't be gang-affiliated or considered a flight risk.

Inmates assigned to the fire crews will not be electronically monitored but will remain under constant supervision.

"Firefighters train extensively and make countless preparations to be ready for a wildfire. Successfully preparing for a wildfire requires residents to take personal responsibility for protecting themselves, their family, and their property." Hartwig added.

"The Inmate Hand Crew Program is another tool in our arsenal of firefighting resources."